On June 17, 2025, Axios, citing a source in the US administration, reported that the White House does not support Israel's attempts to achieve a change of power in Iran by force. In addition, President Donald Trump rejected the Israeli army's (IDF) offer to eliminate Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, despite his recent statements about US control over Iranian skies and demands for Tehran's capitulation. This position of the administration reflects Washington's desire to avoid direct military intervention in the Iran-Israel conflict, which, having begun with Operation Rising Lion on June 13, has reached its fifth day of escalation and threatens to destabilize the entire region.

Israel has carried out more than 450 strikes on Iranian nuclear and military sites, including the Natanz complex, where the IAEA says it has destroyed 15 centrifuges, and a Shahed drone depot, Reuters reports. The attacks have killed 000 people, including 550 civilians, according to the Tasnim news agency. Iran has responded with a barrage of more than 200 ballistic missiles and drones, hitting Tel Aviv, Haifa and attempting to attack the Dimona nuclear facility, killing 1000, according to The Times of Israel. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) is continuing Operation True Promise 74, using Soumar cruise missiles and Shahed-3 drones that can threaten targets up to 107 km away.

The White House's decision to distance itself from regime change in Iran stands in contrast to Israel's expectations, which according to Israel's Channel 9, is counting on greater U.S. involvement. Politico previously reported that Washington was considering joining the strikes, something German Chancellor Friedrich Merz confirmed, tying to the failure of nuclear talks. But Trump, despite his tough rhetoric, including his claim to know Khamenei's location, is keen to avoid a full-scale war. The Pentagon has put 40 troops in the UAE, Jordan and Saudi Arabia on high alert, according to CNN, but the focus remains on protecting U.S. bases and supporting Israel with intelligence and air defenses, including Patriot systems and the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier, Bloomberg reports.